by Akan Ido
The director general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia yesterday blamed the perceived lack of discipline among corps members on inspectors of the scheme accusing them of extorting money from corps members.
He said this at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Sagamu, Ogun State at the 2012 Inspectors Development Programme organised for inspectors in the Southern part of the country.
According to reports, the NYSC DG who was represented by director, Corps Welfare and Inspection, Emmanuel Obi, said;
“As field officers who constitute the engine room of the operations of the scheme in the states, you are expected to be above board and act as role models and dependable mentors to the corps members. It is however regrettable that the attitude of many of you leave so much to be desired.
“Reports from the recent nationwide inspection and corps members’ forum indicated that some of you engage in acts capable of bringing the scheme into disrepute.
“Unwholesome practices such as delegating your responsibilities to corps members, non-residence in the communities where your workplaces are located, thereby leading to irregular attendance and poor supervision of corps members not only detract from the noble objectives of the scheme but negatively affect her corporate image.
“The NYSC inspectors are today confronted with a plethora of national, state, community and corps members-related challenges, hence, they need to be adequately trained to competently handle issues and solve problems within the expected time frame.
“The scheme is being confronted with a lot of challenges ranging from astronomical increase in corps population, insecurity, corps rejection, inadequate camp facilities and dwindling welfare provision for corps members due to inadequate funding. With these enormous challenges the scheme needs to review its operations and evolve strategies that will reposition it for efficient and effective execution of its mandate.
“Therefore, managing the scheme at this particular time requires staff with dynamism, competence, requisite skills and ability to cope with the identified challenges and other demands of youth management for national development. It is in view of this that management has resolved to give adequate attention to staff training and development.”
There have been sustained opposition against the NYSC programme with many stakeholders questioning the relevance of the scheme and calling for its cancellation.
Corp welfare please provide corp members with decent accommodation and health facilities. I do not see any reason huge amount of money is allocated to the scheme, most corp members face challenges that isn't equal to the challenges to faced as undergraduates. If the DG is in these inspectors shoes, I believe he will do more than they are doing. The aim of the scheme is defeated and we still pay deaf ears to Nigerians because people at the helm of affairs are benefiting from it massively. E.g. The last orientation camp in Kebbi State, where most of us came home with illness due to poor welfare.. If the orientation programme can be stretched to three months where they learn different skills on camp, then the remaining nine moths alawi be paid I bet you there will more employers of labour.